Tag: K1 kickboxing

(While there may be other, better Semmy Schilt highlights out there, we guaran-damn-tee you that not a one of them contains more shouting.)

Well, this is a shame.

According to Liverkick.com, K1 legend and two-time UFC veteran Semmy “Hightower” Schilt has been forced to hang up his gloves after being made aware that he is suffering from a serious heart condition, the specifics of which have not yet been made available.

While rumors of Schilt’s impending retirement have been circulating ever since the near 7 foot kickboxer announced that the Glory 4 Tokyo: Special 2012 ~ New Year’s Eve tournament — which he successfully claimed by defeating Daniel Ghita via first round TKO in the finals — would be his last, fight fans were still holding out hope that Schilt would make a quick turnaround on his decision as fighters are wont to do.

Unfortunately, the recent diagnosis has officially closed the door for one of the greatest (if not the greatest) heavyweight kickboxers of all time. Schilt retires with a 42-6-1 kickboxing record and a 26-14 MMA record to his credit, as well as 5 K1 Grand Prix titles and the claim of being the final K1 Super-Heavyweight Champion.

We here at CagePotato would like to wish Semmy the best of luck in his future endeavors and hope that he is able to overcome whatever ailment is currently afflicting him in the safest, most timely manner possible.

Pay tribute to a true legend and/or share your favorite Schilt moments with us in the comments section.

Yesterday, UK based promotion X-treme Combat held its sixth mixed combat event in Cumbria, North West England. Featuring amateur boxing, semi-pro boxing, and kickboxing matches, the evening was highlighted by a K1-style rules bout between FlexMMA product Lewis Bailey and Salfrod MMA’s Paul Calland. Held in an octagon that can only be described as “replica size” with two of the most eager ringside announcers in recent memory calling the action, the scrap featured several back and forth exchanges in its brief duration.

After whiffing a head kick around the 2:40 mark, Calland decides to turn a turd into gold by unleashing a wild spinning backfist as a follow up. A backfist so wild, in fact, that it wasn’t really a spinning backfist at all, but more of a sloppy, unintentional spinning elbow ala Jon Jones. In either case, it catches Bailey completely off guard, rendering him unconscious before he can even fall to the canvas like a rapidly deflating balloon. Now, our Pikey may be a little rusty, but we believe one of the announcers referred to the shot as “a poop,” which references the fact that Bailey likely shit himself after being hit with such a powerful blow.

And while we’re discussing all things KO-related, we’ve got to give some props to FUEL TV, who recently released full, crystal clear videos of the Lavar Johnson/Joey Beltran and Pat Barry/Christian Morecraft scraps from January’s UFC on FX: Guillard vs. Miller card to hype up Barry and Johnson’s upcoming clash at UFC on FOX 3. Both were exciting brawls to say the least, and both ended by way of violent KO, so check them out after the jump.

It’s not like Cro Cop has never pondered retirement before, but if last night’s K-1 bout against fellow kickboxing legend Ray Sefo truly marked the end of the road for Mirko Filipovic, then Cro Cop is going out on the highest note possible.

Last night at the Arena Zagreb in Zagreb, Croatia, Mirko Filipovic defeated Ray Sefo by unanimous decision in the main event of “Final Fight”. While both men fatigued in the latter rounds, Cro Cop utilized a diverse striking attack and didn’t take too much damage from the heavy handed Sefo on his way to the victory. Was it the most inspiring performance ever? Not quite. Still, it’s nice to see a legend like Cro Cop go out on a victory over a legitimate opponent.

Some really sad news today, Potato Nation. It is being reported that none other than MMA/kickboxing legend and regular CP columnist Gary Goodridge has been diagnosed with early onset CTE/pugilistic dementia at the age of 46. Goodridge, who built a reputation for his hard hitting style and aggressive attack, has fought an incredible 84 times since beginning his professional career in 1996.

CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy, is brain damage that stems from repeated blows to the head, and is a common occurrence amongst boxers, football players, and hockey players for obvious reasons.

Though the outlook is grim for “Big Daddy,” Goodrige says he wouldn’t change a thing in hindsight. But perhaps a little surprising is the fact that he places most of the blame on his K1 career.

You get the news you just have to deal with it, live with it. There’s no treatment that goes along with it. There’s pills to make it slow down the process, but it’s inevitable.

I have no regrets. I love the way I live my life, I mean I would like to make little changes, but no, I have no regrets. I loved the way my life was, I lived a good life, and I’m happy with what I did.